Chris Christensen "Best Pet Brush"

The Chris Christensen 16 mm T-Brush, a pet brush for all reasons. Most importantly, this brush will separate hair and remove loose undercoat with a minimum of coat damage. Coat damage occurs when hairs are broken or hair cuticles are ravaged by grooming, play, and weather. Just about everything causes hair damage, and accumulates into generalized coat damage. It cannot be avoided, only minimized.

The tools, products, and procedures we use to maintain our pets' coats, as well as our dog's lifestyle all effect the amount of hair damage that accumulates. Today we are looking specifically at brushes.

The most valuable feature of the Chris Christensen brushes is that they are all made with tapered and polished pins. Many pin brushes, especially the cheaper ones, are made by simply chopping off the pins and pushing them through the pad. The bottoms are then hammered flat. This leaves the tips of the pins rough and abrasive to the hair cuticle. When the hair cuticle is chipped and torn, it is more likely to snag with its neighboring hairs and create tangles and mats. As we tug and break apart mats, we create broken hairs with split ends that magnify the problem. Roughly broken hairs deep withing a coat will wreak havoc.

Hair damage is almost impossible to see with the naked eye. Here is a picture of broken hair, highly magnified. Yuk! It's easy to understand how hairs in this state would snag and tangle.

The tapered and polished tips of the Chris Christensen pin brushes are unlikely to cause this kind of breakage. They will not chip and tear at the hair cuticle. My personal favorite is the 16mm T-brush. The 16 mm pins remain fairly stiff so the tines will actually penetrate coat, not just skim over the top. It acts somewhat like a combination of brushing and combing. The brush comes in two sizes, the original larger size (it was intended for larger breeds with plush coats), and the new mini size. Chris Christensen manufactured this smaller design on our recommendation. We found that the 16mm T-brush was a perfect tool for Bichon Frise coat maintainence, but was a little large for some users. So here it is!

The mini T-brush, on the left above, is 4.25" wide compared to 5.25" of the original. The length is also shorter by an inch, 6" compared to 7". This translates into about 3/4 of an ounce less weight, always appreciated by the older groomer. (smile, if you have arthritis in your hands). The smaller size is easier to manueuver around smaller dogs, such as Maltese, Bichon Frise, Yorkies, and small Poodles.

PIN BRUSHES VS. SLICKER BRUSHES
I know you are burning to ask which is better, pin brushes or slickers? Dog show people use more pin brushes, professional groomers love slickers. In terms of preventing coat damage, pin brushes with polished pins are less likely to chip and tear the hair cuticle. The tiny tines of slicker brushes are more likely to cause wear and tear to the hair cuticle. Damage from either type of tool can be minimized, however, by adequate conditioning of the hair before assault by tools. Well-made slickers are less aggressive than cheap alternatives. If the brush scratches your skin, it will be brutal to fine hair.

It is hard for groomers to give up slickers. We get the results we want quickly. Slickers remove loose hair easily, and stretch hair for a beautiful fluff dry finish. Good news, groomers: It's not necessary to toss your slickers, just use them judiciously, not automatically. Try to incorporate more hair friendly tools to the largest possible extent. Personally, I have found that the more I use my CC 16mm T-brushes, the more I love them. I especially appreciate the less matting and tangling in the Bichon coats. When I do use slickers, I use really good brushes, such as Chris Christensen, Les Pooch.

Here is a summary of my reasons for choosing Chris Christensen brushes:

• Tapered and polished tines are least likely to damage hair cuticle.
• T-Brush design is easy on user wrists.
• German workmanship and design manufactures tools that last.
• Quality materials are durable and nice to use. (Great wood!)
• 16 mm brushes act as comb and brush, penetrating thick plush coats, including Bichon Frise, but also great on Bearded Collie.
• Dogs like the less tugging and resistance of the brushes.
• Dog friendly, user friendly, hair friendly - what more can you ask of a brush?

Chris Christensen 16mm T Brushes in both sizes may be purchased from yours truly. Click HERE to Shop With a Groomer. They can also be purchased at Cherrybrook.com